- 1[countable] a thing that is complete in itself Four quarters make a whole. The subjects of the curriculum form a coherent whole.
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- 2[singular] the whole of something all that there is of something The effects will last for the whole of his life. Grammarhalf / whole / quarterQuarter, half, and whole can all be nouns:Cut the apple into quarters. Two halves make a whole.Whole is also an adjective:I’ve been waiting here for a whole hour.Half is also a determiner:Half (of) the work is already finished. They spent half the time looking for a parking space. Her house is half a mile down the road.Note that you do not put a or the in front of half when it is used in this way:I waited for half an hour I waited for a half an hour.Half can also be used as an adverb:This meal is only half cooked. Idioms
as one thing or piece and not as separate parts The festival will be great for our city and for the country as a whole.
considering everything; in general On the whole, I'm in favor of the idea.
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